Introduce Vocabulary: I See Animals Hiding (Arnosky)

From FreeReading

What to Do

Prepare

Select three Tier Two vocabulary words to teach your students. A list of suggested words appears below. Write the vocabulary words on the board or on chart paper.

Model/Instruct

1. Introduce the story.

Today we are going to read a story entitled I See Animals Hiding.

2. Introduce the three vocabulary words you have chosen.

Before we read the story, I want to introduce some new words that we will come across. Please repeat each word after I say it.

3. Read the story.

Let’s read the story. Make sure to listen for today’s vocabulary words and to think about how they are used in the story. If you hear a vocabulary word while I am reading, raise your hand.

4. Define key vocabulary words. See definitions below.

Let’s think about our vocabulary words. The word ______________ means ____________. Does anyone remember how this word was used in the text?

Call on students to answer the question. Then refer to the text to show how the word was used in context. Repeat this process for each vocabulary word.

Practice

Now let’s practice what we’ve learned.

blend

Blend means to look like something and match really well. What’s the word?

Animals try to blend into their environment. When you wear white you blend in with the snow.

I’m going to name some things. If you think the first thing looks like and matches the second thing, say blend. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• A green bug on a leaf
• A brown bunny in the snow
• A brown snake on a twig
• An octopus on the floor of the ocean
• A penguin in the desert

camouflage

Camouflage means a color or disguise used to hide. What’s the word?

Frogs that are green and speckled are camouflaged on a damp log. Have you ever worn the camouflage clothing that hunters use?

I’m going to name some items. If you think the item could be part of a disguise to hide in the forest, say camouflage. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• A sparkly dance outfit
• A leafy colored sweatshirt
• Twigs and branches
• Purple tights
• A red and white striped hat

invisible

Invisible means not being seen. What’s the word?

A jellyfish is almost invisible when it’s floating in the water. Sometimes you pretend you’re invisible and then you can see others who don’t know you’re there.

I’m going to name items. If you think the item cannot be seen, say invisible. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Oxygen
• A piece of lint on a snowman
• A truck in the driveway
• Bacteria
• A bumblebee on a flower

replace

Replace means to switch one thing for another. What’s the word?

We had to replace our old coffee maker when it quit working. Don’t lose your mittens, because it costs money to replace them.

I’m going to name some items. If you think the item wears out and you sometimes need to get new ones, say replace. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• A diamond
• Your house
• A pencil
• Tires
• Clothing

scene

Scene means the setting you can see with your eyes in front of you. What’s the word?

The scene from the mountaintop was amazing. Describe the scene you see when you look out your window.

I’m going to name some items. If you think the item is part of the setting you might see right out your classroom window, say scene. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• A whale
• An army tank
• A swing set
• Grass
• A basketball hoop

unnoticed

Unnoticed means not being seen or not being paid attention to. What’s the word?

A man on the street dressed like all the other men would go unnoticed. If you wear a swimming suit to school, you won’t be unnoticed.

I’m going to name some things. If you think the thing wouldn’t be seen or given attention, say unnoticed. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• A bug on the street
• A cloud in the sky
• A nest in a tree
• A giraffe in school
• A chimp in the gym

Adjust

For Advanced Students:

If time permits, have students create more examples for the vocabulary words.

For Struggling Students:

If time permits, have students record the words on a Vocabulary Discovery Chart or in a Word Journal.

For ELL Students:

In order to help ELL students learn the words, it may be helpful to use realia and/or to teach cognates.

Related activities

• All Vocabulary Activities